HUGH Bowman, freshened by a sojourn in Hong Kong, can bounce straight back into the Sydney winners circle by scoring on Joe Pride’s up-and-comer Rock Sturdy at Rosehill on Saturday.

Rock Sturdy stretched the highly touted Cluster when a close second first-up from a spell over

1200m at Rosehill two weeks ago and he is better suited over 1350m in the Go The Tahs

Handicap. He has already been backed from $3.40 to $2.80.

The horses are the stars of the show at the track, but there is a top class array of jockeys competing on the first Saturday of the new season with Bowman, James McDonald, Tommy Berry, Blake Shinn, Tye Angland and Glyn Schofield all taking rides.

Comment: I believe Amicus is the best horse in this race, but she will find it tough first-up bowling over Liberation, who strolled in dominating from the front two weeks ago and who looks like leading unopposed again. Press Report (who ran fourth to Liberation) meets him 10kg better, but is likely to still give a big start. Harrier Jet seems ordinary, Forbidden Jewel trialled fairly.

Comment: La Venta’s Melbourne form is OK without being outstanding, but this is not a great field. Forever Crazy (impressive last start) is back from 1600m and My Sabeel (drawn awkwardly) has to run 1400m. First Class Ticket is the one who might get the right run and be hard to toss. Chateau Lafaite is a likely improver and Chez Harmony could be over the odds.

disappointed in his last two runs. Done Nothin’ Wrong is at the top of his form and has 4.5kg on the fancied Multilateral on their last meeting. Multilateral’s big advantage is his potential, which is also a plus for Sabor A Triunfo while a negative is she has not run for four weeks. Single is not out of it.

Bet: 5 Done Nothin’ Wrong

Exotics: Box quinella 1 Single, 2 Multilateral, 5 Done Nothin’ Wrong

Done Nothin’ Wrong (white cap) has been a model of consistency this campaign. Picture: Simon Bullard.Source:Supplied

Comment: Oakfield Commands has little option but to cross and lead with Testarhythm and both

have good claims with not a lot of speed likely. Skip Town’s last couple of runs are good and The Peak is in the mix. Despite the lack of pace I still think Territory can round them up judging on his excellent run in the Ramornie. Canny Ballad trialled nicely but might need a little further.

Comment: Tougher Than Ever can surprise as the solo leader with Romantic Moon also going

forward and the pace of the race could play a big part. Scream Machine and He’s Your Man, two with stacks of ability, are better in fast run races and could get back while Queenstown is coming back from a 2350m win. There was a lot to like about I’m Imposing’s last start Randwick win.

Comment: Bit of speed with Bonsai (new trainer), Magic Jewel and probably Net Worth and Tralfaz going forward. Kanjistar (barrier one) is going to get a great run and his last start effort was sound. Murder Of Crows goes good fresh and will be suited with speed on. Terra Amata ran well at Grafton and has a hope and Worldly Impact will be rattling home. Lyric and Beckon are also in the mix.

Comment: Not a lot of pace and Rock Sturdy should not be too far away and his last start second to Cluster over 1200m here was first rate. Weinholt didn’t beat much at Randwick, but showed good acceleration and Burbero is racing well. Wouldnt It Be Nice is at the top of his game and has been racing better horses while Lorna May is resuming, but races best fresh.

Bet: 5 Rock Sturdy

Exotics: Quinella 4 Wouldnt It Be Nice, 5 Rock Sturdy

Rock Sturdy (red cap) is grabbed in the shadows of the post by the highly-talented Cluster last start at Rosehill. The son of Fastnet Rock has plenty of upside and can show plenty of improvement at his second run this campaign. Picture: Simon Bullard.Source:Supplied

Comment: Not a strong line-up. Moral Victory (racing well) and Great Choice should set the pace with Moral Victory hard to get past. Made To Order won well last run, is well drawn and the increase in distance is in her favour while Dowdstown Charlie is also racing well and will hit the line hard. Black Revolver is hard to catch, but is a chance and Cape Clear is a place hope.